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Ms. Killings recognized for impacting campus with love

Eva Killings has worked on FSU’s campus for 42 years and has now been honored with a hallway in her name. Designated by a sign on the wall next to her cash register podium, large garnet letters read: “Eva Killings Hallway, “I Love You.

Eva Killings has worked on FSU’s campus for 42 years and has now been honored with a hallway in her name.

Designated by a sign on the wall next to her cash register podium, large garnet letters read: “Eva Killings Hallway, “I Love You.” When students, professors, and tour groups alike enter Suwannee Dining Hall they are always greeted with an “I love you” from Killings no matter the line or the day.

While Ms. Killings has been recognized for her impact on campus in the past, this hallway symbolizes a more permanent token of gratitude – and it was conceived by a recipient of one of her iconic “I love you’s.” Seth Wirshba, president of a tour group from South Florida called Grand College Tours, told Killings of his idea to make her a sign to hang in Suwannee.

“I really didn’t know what to say,” Killings said. “I spoke to him and told him they they wouldn’t put it up, but he said, ‘oh yes it’s going to be put up.’”

Killings thought neither dining hall food services, Aramark or Sodexo, would allow the sign, but the tour group was determined to make it happen. They even went beyond the public sign in the dining hall and also made her a smaller sign that she hangs in her house.

The picture of Killings with her sign went viral on social media with alumni, current students and staff.

“It makes me feel really good because I know I have touched so many people and so many people have touched me,” Killings said. “I cry when students cry because I love you all and I have worked hard over the years. People don’t really know, but I’ve worked hard ever since I first came to Florida State.”

In 1975, Killings’ first job at FSU was at the only cafeteria on campus, which was located in the Union. She then went on to work at a bagel shop; the first Starbucks which was located by the post office in the Union; Club Downunder; Chick-fil-A, where Chilis is today; and she also fed football players in the stadium for two weeks during the summers. In 2006 she started at Suwannee Dining Hall.

“I meet so many tours and so many people,” Killings said. “Even when I leave people are always coming to me and asking, ‘Hello, are you still at Florida State?’ I just love it. I have people that went to school here and now their children are here. Some of them remember me from when they were in school.”

Killings recalled that the manager of Aramark remembers her from when he went to school at Florida State 35 years ago, which she explained means a lot to her.

“I’ve raised three children and I treat every student that comes to Florida State just like they’re my children,” Killings said. “When I came to Florida State, we always gave love and it’s been with me all these years.”

As for Killings’ future, she excitedly waits for her grandson to join her in June as a student at FSU.

“I love working here at Florida State and I wouldn’t go anywhere else to work,” Killings said. “I plan on staying here for as long as my health allows.”